Complicated, Controversial, and Contradicting

[emountain]

Ones interpretations of Jefferson’s philosophies and practices have created the mystery of Jefferson’s life. In key events of our history such as: southern secessionist for states’ rights; northern abolitionist against slavery using the Declaration of Independence; Robber Barons’ warnings about the powers of the federal government; the Scopes Trial; Civil Rights Movement. Also with issues today such as: abortion; healthcare; taxes; women and race discrimination; the powers of our government. No matter what ones political views of these past and present events are, Jefferson’s words have been used to back them up. Jefferson was and is America’s Everyman (8-12). Jefferson lived a very complicated, controversial, and contradicting life, which was often times hypocrisy of his written philosophies. Jefferson seemed to value agrarian simplicity, but lived a life full of lavish collectibles as one can witness at the Monticello exhibit (16). Probably the most controversial and contradicting issue would be slavery. Jefferson is often times referred to as the father of freedom because of the Declaration of Independence, however many historians now argue that Jefferson did little to end slavery. Ellis quoted Paul Finkelman, Historian, saying, “Jefferson was an out an out racist who rejected even the possibility that blacks and whites could ever live together on an equal basis. Moreover, his several attempts to end the slave trade or restrict the expansion of slavery beyond the South were halfhearted, as was his contemplation of a program of gradual emancipation. His beloved Monticello and personal extravagances were possible only because of slave labor (19-20).” An even more controversial issue than whether he was for or against slavery was his sexual affairs, especially the one with his slave, Sally Hemings. After the DNA proof that Jefferson fathered several children with his long time mistress, his life became more apparently contradicting. His work has claimed fame for creating our country with equality among all races, genders, and religions, yet he lived his entire life with two hundred slaves, fathered slaves, and did not think racial integration was a good idea (24-25). However, with this said I still hold Jefferson up on a pedestal. Even with his flaws, he was no doubt a patriot and wanted the best for our country. He may have lived against his philosophies, but it was his philosophies that shaped our nation. Ellis quoted Gordon Wood, which I believe put it perfectly in saying, “We Americans make a great mistake in idolizing…and making symbols of authentic figures, who cannot and should not be ripped out of their time and place. No real-life historical figure could ever prove a satisfactory hero because his human weaknesses would always undercut his saintly status (22).”

[dwhannah]

The greatest and most powerful oddity centered around Jefferson’s inability to reconcile his thoughts on slavery. Jefferson seems to juggle two implausible ideas: The first is to blame the king of England for slavery in the colonies, and secondly he blames him for emancipating the slaves (56). These arguments are diametrically at odds with each other, but yet he conveys them to the public in written documents.
Jefferson states in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal. However, what does he mean? It is striking that he makes this statement, yet he owns slaves, in fact, over the course of his life as many as 600. Jefferson does make reference to the black as inferior to whites and does not believe that they can be united due to the inferior attributes of the slave. However, as noted by DNA evidence, he was involved in an affair with Sally Hemings. Furthermore, he apparently fathered some of her children over the course of this relationship, although blace were supposed to be inferior to the white race. He continues this argument of mathematically being able to erase the black lineage. Perhaps this is why he was able to justify his relationship with Hemings because she was 7/8 white, thusly the offspring from this relationship would be considered white.
The second point to make here would be that Jefferson was able to departmentalize conflicting ideas within him. This ability would lead to many seemingly contradictive moves on his part. One such point of contradiction was Jefferson’s idea that utopia was to be lived at his beloved Monticello with his family surrounding him. However, how did he identify his family? He would seem to include some of his slaves that resided at Monticello as family, although he considered them beneath him. Also, while in France surrounded by his daughters after the death of Martha, he would send them away to a Catholic school instead of retaining them at home.
Furthermore, while at Monticello, he was never at peace—he would continually be making modifications to his beloved home and using the slave labor to add these luxuries to his estate. Not only did he enjoy these luxuries he would go in debt to live this lavish lifestyle. Sparing no expense to live the high life in France, Jefferson would return to Monticello in debt. He would make claims of wanting to be a farmer, but would fail to make enough money to sustain his life. He would ironically use slave labor to make nails. This would prove lucrative for his livelihood while at Monticello.